CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9] — Page 720

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

SECRET.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret Despatch of the 16th August requesting my views as to the suitability of the men of the Chinese Regiment for Service in this Colony.

2. I have only seen the Chinese Regiment once on parade at Wei-hai-wei; there they looked smart and serviceable and I believe that their conduct on active service has been satisfactory.

3. But in considering their suitability for service as a part of the Colony of Hong Kong, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of their being tampered with in case of War or of being used as spies within the Garrison, either by the Chinese or, through them, by a European Power.

4. The Northern Chinese speak Mandarin, which language is not understood in the Southern Provinces except by Officials, and, as the Cantonese in the North are looked upon as foreigners, so probably would the men of the Chinese Regiment be regarded in Hong Kong; indeed, the danger from their presence in the garrison might rather be as a disturbing element than by establishing too friendly relations. But all China is riddled

The Right Honourable
Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.

&c.

Page 720
Page 721

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SECRET. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret Despatch of the 16th August requesting my views as to the suitability of the men of the Chinese Regiment for Service in this Colony. 2. I have only seen the Chinese Regiment once on parade at Wei-hai-wei; there they looked smart and serviceable and I believe that their conduct on active service has been satisfactory. 3. But in considering their suitability for service as a part of the Colony of Hong Kong, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of their being tampered with in case of War or of being used as spies within the Garrison, either by the Chinese or, through them, by a European Power. 4. The Northern Chinese speak Mandarin, which language is not understood in the Southern Provinces except by Officials, and, as the Cantonese in the North are looked upon as foreigners, so probably would the men of the Chinese Regiment be regarded in Hong Kong; indeed, the danger from their presence in the garrison might rather be as a disturbing element than by establishing too friendly relations. But all China is riddled The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P. &c. Page 720 Page 721

Baseline (Original)

SECRET. Sir, long lung. 376785 717 Government House 26th. September, 1901 272015 J I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret Despatch of the 16th. August requesting my views as to the suitability of the men of the Chinese Regiment for Service in this Colony. 2. I have only seen the Chinese Regiment once on parade at Wei-hai-wei; there they looked smart and ser- viceable and I believe that their conduct on active service has been satisfactory. 3. But in considering their suitability for service as a part of the Colony of Hong Kong, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of their being tampered with in case of War or of being used as spies within the Garrison, either by the Chinese or, through them, by a European Power. h 4. The Nortern Chinese speak Mandarin, which lang- uage is not understood in the Southern Provinces except by Officials, and, as the Cantonese in the North are looked upon as foreigners, so probably would the men of the Chinese Regiment be regarded in Hong Kong; in- deed, the danger from their presence in the garrison might rather be as a disturbing element than by estab- lishing too friendly relations. But all China is rid- dled The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P. sac. &C. *0. Page 720Page 721

2026-05-31 23:09:08 · Baseline

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SECRET.

Sir,

long lung.

376785

717

Government House

26th. September, 1901

272015

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of

your Secret Despatch of the 16th. August requesting my

views as to the suitability of the men of the Chinese

Regiment for Service in this Colony.

2. I have only seen the Chinese Regiment once on

parade at Wei-hai-wei; there they looked smart and ser-

viceable and I believe that their conduct on active

service has been satisfactory.

3. But in considering their suitability for service

as a part of the Colony of Hong Kong, it is necessary

to take into account the possibility of their being

tampered with in case of War or of being used as spies

within the Garrison, either by the Chinese or, through

them, by a European Power.

4. The Nortern Chinese speak Mandarin, which lang-

uage is not understood in the Southern Provinces except

by Officials, and, as the Cantonese in the North are

looked upon as foreigners, so probably would the men

of the Chinese Regiment be regarded in Hong Kong; in-

deed, the danger from their presence in the garrison

might rather be as a disturbing element than by estab-

lishing too friendly relations. But all China is rid-

dled

The Right Honourable

Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.

sac.

&C.

*0.

Page 720Page 721

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